Former Patriot Garin Veris to visit Barnstable on March 22

Monday

Even though we have now set the clocks ahead and the temps are moving closer to spring weather, it's still a good time for an old-fashioned “Polar Plunge.”

It's an opportunity for hardy souls to break through the ice and take a chilly dip into icy water, often to promote a charity or cause.

Barnstable's upcoming Polar Plunge will benefit Dance in the Rain, a peer-to-peer mental health center in Hyannis, and will take place at the Millway Beach on Barnstable Harbor on Saturday, March 23 at 11 a.m.

A Pre-Plunge Party will be held on Friday evening, March 22, at Cape Cod Beer from 6:30-9 p.m. with former New England Patriot defensive end Garin Veris appearing as the guest speaker.

Veris, a graduate of Stanford University, was a second-round pick of the New England Patriots in 1985. He was named to the Patriots All-1980s Team and started for the Patriots in Super Bowl XX against the Bears.

He also served as athletic director at Massachusetts Maritime Academy from November of 2015 until March 2018.

Last year, Veris received the New England Patriots Community MVP Award for his extensive community service and dedication to volunteerism.

A press release noted Veris’ support of the upcoming event.

“I am very honored to support the Dance in the Rain. This health center provides a comforting environment for youths and adults with mental health challenges here on Cape Cod,” Veris noted in a recent interview. “I am an advocate for providing increased support for those who need our help. I want to draft you for our team in support of Dance in the Rain. Come take The Plunge!”

Those planning the Friday night event are asking for a $5 donation at the door.

All-Star Action

The Cape & Islands League boys’ and girls’ basketball all-star games were held last Saturday at Cape Cod Tech with players from all 10 league high schools in attendance, including Sturgis East and West, Cape Cod Academy and St. John Paul II.

Both all-star squads were identified by jersey colors, so in the boys’ game, Team White knocked off Team Navy 76-73 with Cape Cod Academy freshman Jaeden Greenleaf hitting a three-pointer in the final seconds for the margin of victory.

Greenleaf finished with 13 points, including a trio of three-pointers, while his Seahawks teammate Andrew James led all scorers with 16 point and also three treys.

Other local players who were selected to play in the boys’ game were, from St. John Paul II, Chris Crahan, Kevin Flynn and Mike Satkevich; for Sturgis East, Nathan Nawvoichik; from Sturgis West. Johnny Dankert, Jack O’Malley and Cullan Quitmeyer; and also for Cape Cod Academy, Alex Marchant.

The girls’ game preceded the boys’ game, and in that one Alex Palmer of St. John Paul II scored seven points to lead Team Navy to a 39-30 win over Team White.

This coming Sunday, March 17, the annual Al Faria All-Star Classic will be played at the Hyannis Youth and Community Center for one last look at the top high school basketball talent on the Cape.

Local players representing the Upper Cape will be Jaeden Greenleaf, Alex Merchant and Andrew James of Cape Cod Academy; Seref McDowell from Sturgis East and Sturgis West senior Johnny Dankert.

Those area players who will take the court for the Lower Cape squad will be Barnstable’s Alex Woolery and Mike Satkevich of St. John Paul II.

On the girls’ side, the Upper Cape squad will include the Cape Cod Academy trio of Marena Gardella, Sasha Rivers and Kaileigh Bickford; Colleen Cameron of Sturgis West and Audrey LeBlanc of Sturgis East.

Comprising the Lower Cape team will be Barnstable’s Nakaya Bland and Carly Whiteside and Victoria Butler of St. John Paul II.